July 28, 2012

Rae Langton on Hate Speech

Hate speech can be vile and psychologically damaging. Should it be tolerated? Rae Langton explores the nature of hate speech and the question of whether laws protecting free expression should allow it in conversation with Nigel Warburton.

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We're all very aware that "hate speech" is hurtful, even damaging. But giving any government the power to censor based on such subjective criteria is an invitation to tyranny. The cure is far worse than the disease.

Far from protecting groups "lower down in the hierarchy", Hate Speech laws in England have clearly disadvantaged the working classes, disproportionately. They as a group have traditionally earned their living by their physical labour and not with their linguistic skills. In contrast, the middle-classes (or polite society) earn their living by developing the speech of masked communication - where uncomfortable truths are discouraged, skated around, and mealy-mouthed communication is fostered instead.